Oktay, Zico back Kipkirui to earn Stars call-up

Oktay, Zico back Kipkirui to earn Stars call-up

Gor Mahia FC assistant coach Zedekiah “Zico” Otieno has said Nicholas Kipkirui has a ‘great future’ and is certain he will soon play for the national team, Harambee Stars.

Zico hailed Kipkirui as a ‘tireless’ striker who keeps improving his game and will soon be too good to ignore after he missed out on the 2019 African Cup of Nationas (AFCON) squad.

Kipkirui was an influential force in Gor’s record-breaking continental campaign and also played a key role in their domestic season where K’Ogalo retained the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) title.

The 22-year-old is currently Gor’s joint-top scorer for the season, tied on 14 goals with Jacques Tuyisenge for goals scored both in the league and in the CAF Confederation Cup.

“He is a young lad with a great future and he will probably be one of the best Kenyan strikers, personally I always thought that Kipkurui will be included in the Kenyan team heading for AFCON, but he still has a chance to be part of the Kenyan team in future,” Zico told Citizen Digital.

Head coach Hassan Oktay also backed him to continue developing his game and eventually earn a call-up with the senior national team.

“He is young and talented player with a great personality he always listens and keeps on improving daily, he definitely has future in the Kenyan football as well as Gor Mahia and he will eventually make it to the national team because he is working very hard,” Oktay said.

Kipkirui has taken the snub in his stride and says he knows he has continue challenging to be a better player.

“I know I have played well but maybe I had not reached the levels and it’s now a face up to me to put in more effort to improve my skills in order to make it to the national team and represent my country,” he said.

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Gor Mahia FC Harambee Stars Nicholas Kipkirui

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